The Complete Illustrated Guide to Alexander Technique: A Practical Approach to Health, Poise, and Fitness [Paperback]

Glynn MacDonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 1999 | Series: Complete Illustrated Guide

Traces the history of the Alexander Technique from Alexander's first experiments on himself, to the confirmation of his technique by medical professionals and its application in everyday life. This therapy encourages more natural posture for pain relief.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Element Books Ltd. (January 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1862042268
• ISBN-13: 978-1862042261
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Alexander Technique

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the Alexander Technique, July 13, 2001

By 

Claudia Summer (Puget Sound, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Alexander Technique: A Practical Approach to Health, Poise, and Fitness (Paperback)

I'm certified to teach the Technique and gave it up years ago, frustrated with explaining the same thing over and over to the incredulous. Describing the Technique to someone who's never had lessons is like describing chocolate to one who's never tasted it. Their eyes glaze over and they nod politely, but you know they still don't have a clue.

But that all changed when I bought this wonderful book. I hand it to acquaintances, don't say a word, and they beg me to start teaching again. A picture is truly worth a thousand words, and this book has hundreds of excellent color photographs. The text is well organized and nicely written. The book gives a wealth of information on the Technique and its applications to daily life. Not only that, but it's beautifully designed, printed on excellent stock -- a first-rate package and well worth the money. If you're new to the Alexander Technique, this is the book to buy.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very nice job of describing the Alexander Technique., January 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Alexander Technique: A Practical Approach to Health, Poise, and Fitness (Paperback)

I first learned about the Alexander Technique about 10 years ago and found it helped my chronic shoulder and neck problems and persistent pain. What I discovered was that I was causing my own problems - without being at all aware of it! It was, to say the least, a humbling experience but one I'm very glad to have gone through. My Alexander teacher was very helpful in enabling me to understand what I was doing, and how I could STOP doing it. I capitalize STOP because that's the essence of the Technique as I understand it - stop doing what's harming you. Quite a different approach from most fitness programs which try to get you to DO something different when, in fact, they rarely change your underlying habits.I still take an occasional lesson when I'm in a city where there is a teacher and I would certainly recommend the Technique - and this book - to anyone with a stress-related condition. I would also suggest 2 other books: "Fitness Without Stress" by Rickover and "How to Learn the Alexander Technique" by Conable.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful! Makes Alexander concepts visible., February 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Alexander Technique: A Practical Approach to Health, Poise, and Fitness (Paperback)

This book not only has many illustrations of how Alexander principles might look in action, it's a beautiful and well-laid-out book. With all the pictures, I have a better idea of what I might be going toward as I take Alexander lessons. I still think it is true that you cannot learn Alexander technique without a teacher - most of the time I find that the way I think I am moving or standing is not what my body is actually doing - but I still find the pictures and directions give me something to move towards. The illustrations are also useful in trying to explain to others what the Alexander technique is about. I recommend this highly along with Deborah Caplan's "Back Trouble".